Research Publications

Association between physical fitness and cardiovascular health in firefighters

Ras, Jaron; Smith, Denise L.; Soteriades, Elpidoforos S. (MDPI, 2023)

Firefighters perform strenuous work in dangerous and unpredictable environments requiring optimal physical conditioning. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between physical fitness and cardiovascular ...

Association between cardiovascular disease risk factors and cardiorespiratory fitness in firefighters: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Ras, Jaron; Kengne, Andre P.; Smith, Denise L. (MDPI, 2023)

Approximately 45% of on-duty related mortalities were due to sudden cardiac death, with many of these fatalities related to cardiovascular disease and overexertion, while performing emergency duties. Therefore, the aim ...

Physical activity, including active commuting, and health status of rural school children in South Africa

Travill, Andre L.; Wildschutt, Phillip J. (University of Stellenbosch, 2019)

Physical activity is considered a key preventative measure for various diseases, such as diabetes and cardio-vascular disorders. The majority of South Africans studied in various regional cross sectional surveys, suggest ...

Female sport administrators’ experiences of organisational fit in the workplace

Titus, Simone (AFAHPER-SD, 2011)

Gender inequality in South African sport has been legislated against by a number of constitutionally binding Acts. Although these policies have done much to address the general absence of women in leadership positions ...

Analysis of social networking sites used by student spectators in university sport

Phillips, Kirby; Titus, Simone (AFAHPER-SD, 2021)

Social media usage has caused a notable shift in the use of strategies and relevant tools with which to communicate with sport spectators, catapulting sports into one of the most read topics on social media. This rapid ...

Experiences of young South African gymnasts, parents and coaches about the health benefits of sport participation

Lucas, Warren; Titus, Simone; Young, Marie Elizabeth (AFAHPER-SD, 2019)

Gymnastics, as a physical activity, presents young people with opportunities to learn physical skills, improve eye-hand coordination, develop gross and fine motor skills, and socially develop through engagement with other ...

If you build it will they come? Park upgrades, park use and park-based physical activity in urban Cape Town, South Africa—The sun study

Bartels, Clare A.; Lambert, Estelle V.; Young, Marié E. M. (MDPI, 2023)

The development and upgrade of recreational public spaces are key government strategies to increase opportunities for physical activity (PA) and enhance social interaction and community cohesion. This study aimed to ...

Alcohol consumption, physical activity, and cad risk factors in firefighters

Ras, Jaron; Leach, Lloyd (Bentham Open, 2023)

Firefighting is a physically and psychologically stressful occupation, where firefighters often resort to alcohol use as a coping strategy. Firefighters are particularly vulnerable to alcohol misuse and alcohol disorders, ...

Cardiovascular disease risk factors, musculoskeletal health, physical fitness, and occupational performance in firefighters: A narrative review

Ras, Jaron (Hindawi Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 2022)

Introduction. Firefighting is a strenuous occupation that requires firefighters to be in peak physical condition. However, many firefighters have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, impaired musculoskeletal health, ...

Can social innovation advance the PMTCT programme? A South African reflection

Mdleleni, Lwando; Velapi, Linda (Sinnergiak Social Innovation, 2022)

The prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) programme is an initiative developed to enable health care practitioners to provide essential care to mothers in order to prevent the transmission of HIV to their ...

Effects of an isometric exercise training program on muscular strength, ankle mobility, and balance in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy in the lower legs in South Africa

du Plessis, Ronél; Dembskey, Nadia; Bassett, Susan H (Springer, 2022)

Background: Patients who suffer from diabetic peripheral neuropathy in the lower leg experience a greater risk of falls due to a decrease in strength of the lower extremities. Methods: Fourteen participants, diagnosed ...

Effects of cardiovascular health, musculoskeletal health and physical fitness on occupational performance of firefighters: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Ras, Jaron; Kengne, Andre Pascal; Smith, Denise (BMC, 2022)

Firefighting is a hazardous occupation, where firefighters are involved in life-threatening situations, being placed under tremendous physical strain, while wearing heavy and insulated equipment to protect them from ...

Association between major coronary artery disease risk factors in the city of Cape Town firefighter and rescue service

Leach, Lloyd; Ras, Jaron (Bentham Science Publishers, 2021)

Background: Many CAD risk factors occur concurrently, increasing the odds of the development of other risk factors, which is particularly seen in male and older firefighters. Objective: The purpose of this study was ...

Recommendations to enhance parental involvement and adolescent participation in physical activity

Cozett, Colleen; Roman, Nicolette V. (MPDI, 2022)

Adolescents are influenced by external factors which may impact their level of physical activity. Parents require specific strategies to become involved and to increase physical activity participation in adolescence. ...

Relationship between physical activity, coronary artery disease risk factors and musculoskeletal injuries in the City of Cape Town fire and rescue service

Ras, Jaron; Leach, Lloyd (SAGE, 2022)

Musculoskeletal injuries in firefighters are a common occurrence, that increase as firefighters age, and may be related to the firefighters’ physical activity habits outside of the job. Certain CAD risk factors, such as ...